Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It is a wonder that any useful information is conveyed with all of the childish posts going back and forth. Grow up everyone - this is not the Water Snake Kindergarden forum!

So on that note, I would like to add in my own two cents about keeping Acrochordus & Erpeton in a captive environment. Both A. javanicus and A. arafura (PNG locality) along with Erpenton are found in slightly acid water. My advice would be to use a more simplistic approach rather than an elaborate setup. These snakes are not fish and ph does not need to be as accurate as that used for some fish. When setting up the tank, be sure to have adequate hiding spaces (pvc pipe, cork, limbs, plants (silk or live),cork), moderate water depth (enough for the animal to breath without lifting all of its body out of its hiding space), a mesh bag of peat moss, and a filtration system. To condition the water, I use the following items:

1) Stress Coat
2) Aquarium Salt
3) Black Water Extract

I am supposed to be getting in more of all three species in the next several weeks, all of which will be setup in a similar fashion. Tomorrow I will upload pictures of a setup on my office desk.

Greg

I would be interested to see your pictures. How long have you kept this species (A. arafura) in captivity? What, how much, have you fed them? What is the longest period of time you have been able to keep any one individual alive? I'm talking about arafura here.

I have not kept arafurae as of yet. The first shipment will be arriving in several weeks. I can only assume they are similar to javanicus in care and upkeep. My contacts in Indo which keep captive specimens assure me they are one in the same. However, I would assume that animals with Aussie locality would require higher ph than those from Indo.

Greg

I found a third zoo that has been able to keep this species (Acrochordus arafurae) in captivity. The list that I know of is below. Please add to it if you know of anyone able to keep it alive for more than 6 months, or as long as it takes for the fungus or stress to kill it!

From Slavens longevity web site:

Reptile House
Royal Zoological Society of S.A., Inc.
Frome Road
Adelaide, 5000
S. Australia
Phone (08) 2673255

Curator of Reptiles
Chicago Zoological Park
300 Golf Road
Brookfield, IL 60513
Phone 708 485 0263

Chris B. Banks,
Curator of Reptiles
The Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens
P.O. Box 74 Parkville Victoria
Australia
Phone 03 285 9491

Fungus can be dealt with easily. I work with many water sensitive turtle species. Remember, keep it simple and just know the environment that your animal(s) come from. It really is not that hard. Don't always trust what you read in literature. For example, published studies show that trunks snakes do not produce solid waste - I beg to differ. I am looking at a pile right now!

Greg

I am afraid I have to agree with undfun here, I think you are over simplifying the problem. Fungus is most likely just one symptom of a snake that has failed to thrive. Being able to treat it, is not a solution, and is not going to save the snake. Not that you shouldn't try. Amd as far as them not being fish, It seems that the have sensitivities to water condition that warrants treating more like a large fisn then like a snake. You may however be on to something with the idea that the problems acclimating these species has less to do with water conditions then we think. So, I have to ask what other precautions are you taking to reduce stress? Larger tank? more hiding areas? Covering the tank for the first six months? If your only solution is to add peat moss to the filter, its been done and it's not enough. I do wish you luck though, I do not mean to be negative, I am just trying to encourage you to try something more then what has already failed for dozens of others.

To any amature with the wild hair to kepp achrochordidae lets say don't. The sucess rates suck. Tentacleds do much better in captive situations. I have maintained both, my pride and joy is my Javan Wart, excellent animal. I have had mine since Febuary, and have documented the cure to the fungus. I discovered a small group of Javans live in Florida. Other than temp and relative water features this area of Florida has one thing in common with Indonesia. Melanocus, other wise known as Australian Tea Tree, grow in both Indonesia, Australia, and Florida. The Sleepy cod, a javans primary prey, feed on the tree roots as they enter the water. This tree root is the number one naturaul fungus cure ever found. It is known to cure ick for fish and other ailments. Oh yeah and a side note, it kills Achrochordae dermal fungus. When I recieved mine, tons of fungus. Months of salt soaks and various other attempts to cure the animal were really failing. The animal was loosing large chunks of flesh and the snake was loosing an up hill battle. Then I read about the tea tree occuring in the same area this snake live in florida. I gave it a try. Now anytime any infection signs come up, I treat the water and all symptoms dissapear. If anyone is interested I can post what the fungus looks like before it really gets bad. It starts as an out of place grey spot, then trouble. Knowing what it looks like can save the animal. Long story short, My wart snake is alive and well and I have plans for keeping more to prove my crazy, but seemingly possible theory.